What’s in your wallet?

Got tagged by Sardonicnell. So, what’s in my wallet?

• Gift cards for Trader Joe’s, American Express and Landmark Theater
• 2 Washington Mutual Debit Mastercard / WFB not shown
• Department Store Cards: Nordy’s, Macys & Sears (not shown)
• Membership Cards: Costco & PetCo
• Most Important: Starbuck’s (time to reload . . . it’s down to about 5 bucks)
• Driver’s License
• Nanay’s remembrance/prayer card
• Receipts & ATM statements stashed inside
• Pictures behind the flap along with checkbook (not shown)
• My red Levinger pen (out of ink) [no, don’t have MontBlanc. . . ]
• As of Friday, 11/20 . . . 2 bucks to my name, but it’s “Pay-Day” too!
• Business Cards (mine and others) stashed somewhere inside thee wallet

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“To Die For Blueberry Muffins”

Yup . . . that’s exactly what they are called. I was in one of my baking mode this morning at 5:30 a.m. so I decided to bake some blueberry muffins. JP had wanted me to bake him the Blueberry Coffeecake a while back but I thought I’d do muffins instead. I quickly went on-line and “googled” Blueberry Muffins. This is the first recipe that appeared on the top which means this is my first attempt at this recipe as well. It’s definitely a keeper. The good part is that it only calls for 1 egg and the butter is only used for the “crumb” topping (which is still something I have to work on . . . can’t seem to get the “topping” part.) Note: I didn’t have fresh blueberries this time so I used the frozen organic blueberries from Trader Joe’s. I like to have a bag or two of the frozen berries to keep on hand for “moments” like this. 🙂 ) This recipe appears in the Allrecipes “Tried & True Favorites” Cookbook.

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“Big blueberry flavor warrants big muffins, so fill the cups right up for oversized muffins that will please everyone. The cinnamon-sugar streusel is the crowning glory.” Yields: 8 servings

 

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.

Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.

To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.

 

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First time in eight years . . .

that KV was finally able to “capture” Tina and hold her.  I don’t think Tina had a chance to hide this time unlike the gazillion times that  KV has been to our house . . . as soon as Tina would hear KV’s voice, she’d run.  But again, this was the first time since we brought Tina home (back in June or July 1999) that KV got to hold her.

Tina is saying:  ” Please let me down!  I beg of you! “

KV is saying:  “OK, Tina, look at the camera.”

 

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Just for Bril . . .

I changed the header on my blog.  Bril thought I should have something “Christmas.”  And so . . . this is what I found on the web.  At least it has “red” tulips!

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Dog (& Cat) Day Afternoon . . .

Last Sunday afternoon when I went downstairs to check up on my (darn)  laundry, I saw Toby and Tina both asleep on the couch.  I hurriedly went back upstairs hoping that I wouldn’t wake them up so I can get my camera and take this “Kodak” moment of them two . . .

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The Alphabet of Life . . .

Although things are not perfect;

Because of trials or pain;

Continue in thanksgiving;

Do not begin to blame;

Even when the times are hard;

Fierce winds are bound to blow;

God is forever able;

Hold on to what you know;

Imagine life without His love;

Joy would cease to be;

Keep thanking Him for all the things;

Love imparts to thee;

Move out of “Camp Complaining”;

No weapon that is known;

On earth can yield the power;

Praise can do alone;

Quit looking at the future;

Redeem the time at hand;

Start every day with worship;

To “thank” is a command;

Until we see Him coming;

Victorious in the sky;

We’ll run the race with gratitude;

Xalting God most high;

Yes, there’ll be good times & yes some will be bad, but…

Zion waits in glory . . . where none are ever sad! – – – author unknown

 

This was e-mailed to me by my sis-in-law (Leth) . It didn’t have a title, so I gave it one and added a picture that I took a while back at the Port.  Hope this inspirational piece brings enlightenment to all of you.

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Toby’s visit with Santa . . .

Yes, I had Toby take a picture with Santa . . . but believe me it was just by chance. I had about 30 minutes or so to “kill” time while I waited for AC who was at her school watching a basketball game yesterday . . . so I headed off to the “out-door” mall to walk around with Toby. As we neared Santa’s photo booth (inside a small log-cabin like house), Santa’s helpers came out to play with Toby. They told me to bring Toby inside to see if he would sit on Santa’s lap. Seriously I hesitated but gave in. They said I didn’t have to purchase the photo if I didn’t want to, so I figured I had nothing to loose. Toby was such a good boy that he didn’t even bark at the helpers nor at Santa . . . all covered with that white beard of his and red suit. After taking 3 shots, I chose this one.

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The fieldtrip to Petaluma . . .

I finally made my second visit to Petaluma to visit Rina after all these years . . . and come to think of it, Petaluma is only about a 45-minute drive from where I live. Right before noon, KV, Mandy, AC, Toby and I got inside my car and went on our “field-trip.” It was a nice drive up on Highway 101 . . . the weather was beautiful for a November day. Rina was shocked that morning when she found out that I/we were going to visit her. You see, I ALWAYS have her come down. Just kidding, but since this was my 2nd visit since 1992 (?), it was time that I took a drive up to thee country. It’s not like she lives hours and hours away . . . Anyhoo, Rina took us to Historic Downtown Petaluma . . . went inside a couple of “thrift” stores and bought some “stuffs”. (The hubs would call them “junk!”) Around 5’ish, we went to the Premium Outlets in Petaluma. (That’s the one Rina had built for me because she knew I would never visit her if there weren’t any shopping centers around.) Even thought it’s been opened for some time now, this was our first time (mine & KV’s) at the outlet. We had a great time. What was nice about it was that I was able to spend time with both of my high school buds. I told Rina I’d visit again . . . hopefully soon? For more pix, click here . . .

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Sale ads galore . . .

This was my first year that I didn’t go out (Black Friday Shopping) at the same time the roosters would crow only because for 1) JP & AC are grown and no longer into “toys” and/or 2) many of my relatives’ and friends’ kiddies are also grown and are not into toys. Not like before, KV and I would leave at the crack of dawn to go to Toys ‘R Us at 5:00 in the morning. I remember one year when my familia spent the Thanksgiving Day holiday down in Southern Cali, I actually went to the nearest Toys ‘R Us where my cousin lives just so that I can get some good deals on toys. Last year’s was Target and some other stores. This year believe it or not, I went with the hubs to the Orchard’s Supply Hardware (OSH) in Moraga. I figured since I was already up at 6:00 a.m., I’d go for the nice drive through the redwoods and over the mountain despite the “nippy” weather. The temp were we lived was at 38 degrees F but when we got to Moraga, I couldn’t believe the temp had dropped 12 degrees at 29. No wonder it was fricken chilly . . . but I had my Starbuck’s to keep me warm. An hour after we got back home, the hubs wanted me to go to Sears with him . . . while he “shopped” for the “tools” he wanted, I was to double park or go around a few times. The hubs is so good at just getting what he wants at the store, and he’s out of there. I took Toby with me.

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Where’s thee “Bird?”

 

This was part of our Thanksgiving feast . . . “Filipino” Style! 😉 There were other dishes (not pictured) like the kare-kare and pinakbet, etc. too! As for thee bird, one of my other cousin had brought the turkey but I forgot to take a picture of it. The last 3 from the bottom are what I brought to the feast (mini cornbread muffins, the pumpkin caramel flan and the spinach dip.) Anyhoo, hope ya’ll had a great time with your family and friends during this Thanksgiving Day . . .

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